Paris au naturel? Nudist park planned

(CNN) — Nudists in Paris, France, will soon be able to shed their clothes without fear of arrest, as city council members have approved plans for an official park for naked people.

A campaigner working on the project told CNN the exact location is yet to be decided, but it will likely be near Lac Daumesnil in the southeast of the city.

A spokesman for Deputy Mayor of Paris Bruno Julliard, who has supported the plan, confirmed it was approved in principle Monday at a meeting of the city council.

The proposal was put forward by the Green Party of Paris.

In a written submission to the city council, environmentalists from the party said France is a top world destination for nudists, with two million Germans, Dutch, British and Belgians coming to the country to take their clothes off.

They added that there are 155 naturist holiday centers in France.

Going au naturel is increasingly popular in the French capital, but public nudity is against the law and can be punished by a $15,000 fine or up to one year in prison.

There is only one location in the city that allows private nudist events -- the Roger Le Gall swimming pool in the 12th arrondissement -- and it's restricted to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

A popular nude beach in Florida is also a protected wildlife refuge. CNN affiliate WFLA has more.

Jacques Frimont, vice president of the Association for the Promotion of Naturism in Liberty (APNEL), told CNN: "It is getting too small and the pool is closed in summer. We are about 1,000 members and our numbers are increasing."

He is working on the project to make a bigger venue available to those who want to skinny dip.

"We don't have an exact location just yet, but we are thinking of Lac Daumesnil," he said.